USA - Sphere Entertainment Co has announced the inaugural Sphere XO Student Design Challenge - a partnership with the greater Las Vegas community that gives select members of the general public the opportunity to see their art featured on the Exosphere.
The Sphere XO Student Design Challenge is a collaboration between Sphere and the Clark County School District (CCSD) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) that will provide more than 100,000 Clark County-based students with an opportunity to create art for the Exosphere.
Eight student winners ranging from elementary school through college will be chosen by a combination of voting by the general public on thesphere.com, and selected by professional artists who have designed for the Exosphere, including Refik Anadol and Michela Picchi.
The Sphere XO Student Design Challenge, which will kick off this month, will be themed around the 4th of July, with winning students’ artwork debuting on the Exosphere on July 4, 2024, which will also mark the one-year anniversary of the first illumination of the Exosphere.
In addition, winning high school and UNLV students will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship from Sphere. Winning elementary and middle school students will earn a $10,000 donation from Sphere for their school’s art programme to further art education in public schools, as well as tickets for their entire school to attend The Sphere Experience this autumn.
“Sphere is more than a venue - it is a new entertainment medium uniting art and science to broaden our understanding
UK - Guildhall School of Music & Drama has announced a new BA degree in performance design, starting in September 2025. The three-year, full time BA programme will equip students with the practical and imaginative skills required to create designs for stage performances and live events.
Led by stage designer Dr Susannah Henry, the BA in Performance Design is the newest course to offered by Guildhall’s Production Arts department. The Performance Design programme blends studio-based design work with hands-on experience, including collaborating on a wide range of performances using Guildhall School’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Student designers will gain an understanding of the creative, collaborative and practical elements of performance design, developing their skills through studio-based projects, before building to fully realised designs for public performance. The programme also explores the histories of art, design and theatre, incorporating self-led research to shape and inform students’ own identities and aspirations as emerging performance designers.
Working in close collaboration with students on Guildhall School’s other Productions Arts courses, including the School’s BA in Production Arts and BA in Digital Design & Production, Performance Design students will have the opportunity to develop design skills in areas such as costume, video and lighting, and learn about the technologies and processes needed to make a performance happen. They will also build connections with existing the School’s industry partners and a n
Europe - Architectural LED lighting manufacturer Anolis - A Robe Business - enjoyed a busy and positive 2024 Light+Building expo in Frankfurt, launching two new product ranges - Lyrae and Agame plus the new iProMotion, an IP65-rated moving head effects and video projector, as well as showcasing its current flagship ranges of Calumma, Ambiane and Eminere.
The team enjoyed a steady flow of visitors across the four-day event, seeing people working across the many and ever-diversifying sectors of architecture and built environments.
Anolis considers Light+Building to be among the most important architectural lighting exhibitions in Europe, and arguably worldwide. “We wanted to be there for multiple reasons,” explained Anolis product manager Bruno Francois, “one being to expand our influence and presence, and also to emphasise the significance of the architectural sector in its own right with its own special requirements.”
He added that Anolis products are being constantly developed and supported in the architectural world with help from input related to the wishes and needs of end users - architects, lighting designers and contracting customers - all providing critical feedback that is helping to drive product development.
The slick, clean, contemporary booth design incorporated both the new Lyrae and Agame product lines, integrating them seamlessly into its structure, in the process illustrating their effectiveness in situ.
Gentle curves, rounded edges and three elegant arches on the booth followed the organic ergonomics of the ne
Portugal - Nescafé presented its new Dolce Gusto NEO coffee machine in Portugal, which was complemented by a spectacular 182,000 lumen immersive projection display.
ADLC Audiovisuais selected nine Christie projectors to flood the auditorium of the Fundação Champalimaud in Lisbon with light and colour for the official presentation. At the launch event, produced by the UPPartner agency for Nescafé, approximately 300 guests had the opportunity to participate in an unforgettable experience that integrated artificial intelligence, human avatars, video projection, tasting areas, and exclusive personalised animations.
The event placed a special emphasis on the brand’s strong commitment to sustainability, as both the machines and the capsules are made from recycled materials. In addition, all materials used by Nescafé in the presentation were able to be recycled after the event. An impressive 22.5m wide by 8.20m long wraparound screen lit by five Christie M 4K25 RGB pure laser projectors engaged the audience.
Two additional Christie 3DLP projectors illuminated the stage floor to complete the immersive experience. Various images related to the brand were projected, while a group of dancers from the company Ritmos Urbanos performed choreographies that interacted with the projection. In addition, two Christie D13WU2-HS laser projectors, with 1DLP technology, WUXGA resolution, and 13,500 lumens, projected on two large screens shaped like glasses that were located on the wall of the auditorium.
“These projections, with such an original format, c
Saudi Arabia - Despite only launching in 2022, Gamers8 has become the largest globally recognised Esports tournament. Taking place in Riyadh over eight weeks, this year’s Land of Heroes event kicked off on 6 July, bringing together gaming enthusiasts from all corners of the world, who competed to take home cash prizes and the Gamers8 trophy.
The production behind Gamers8 is considerable, as alongside the intense gaming tournaments it also plays host to live concerts, attractions, and entertainment shows. A line-up of world-renowned artists and DJs, including Afrojack, Macklemore, Iggy Azalea, Imagine Dragons and more performed across its eight stages this year, in a show-stopping production.
Visual design and technology studio bright! studios were responsible for the media playback and virtual production of the gaming tournament elements of the event. bright! worked alongside other production companies and a pool of freelance technicians to take care of on-site virtual production, as well as augmented reality, lighting design and show control.
“Gamers8 is an incredibly big project,” begins Leon Herche, creative producer at bright! studios. “Stage Precision’s SP platform was imperative to the work we were doing, as it was able to handle and control many different hardware and software platforms. We had around 30 Unreal Engine machines, 28 tracked cameras and 36 disguise servers that were all controlled using SP.”
Stage Precision’s SP software is a data and control platform for tracking workflows, virtual production and advanced
Spain - Visitors to ISE in Barcelona were greeted by the sight of a custom-made 7.5m umbrella, where 61,500,000 pixels of animations enlivened every panel using six 10-bit, 4K, 20,000-Lumen projectors which were driven by Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers.
The project was realised by UK-based Motion Mapping, who were challenged with creating the concept and delivering the unusual exhibit, which was rigged on the Epson stand.
“We managed to load up the two Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers with the new Hippotizer 4.9 software and used the SHAPE toolkit to 3D map the undulating surfaces of the umbrella’s many panels,” says Stuart Harris of Motion Mapping. “We constructed a 3D model in C4D and then the real thing was constructed in Germany. SHAPE helped us to calculate everything and visualise it all in pre-production and then blend and line it all up on-site. We worked closely with Epson’s stand designer to achieve the projector positions, above their stand. I find Hippotizer to be adaptable and SHAPE is our go-to for many projects.”
The team worked with the eight panels of the umbrella and the canvas as a whole, with graphics focusing on images of a spinning world which zoomed in on individual countries, and a range of other content. The bright colours on each panel showcased vivid colours and high intensity graphics. Green Hippo’s technical product manager Nick Spencer and Hippotizer product architect Zep Mouris were on site to offer support if required. “The support we get from them is second to none,” adds Harris.
Italy - K-array, has announced the extension of its control plug-in portfolio to include a new integration with Kramer Control. Kramer Control is an enterprise-class cloud-based control and management solution providing IT and AV managers an easy way to control, monitor and support AV systems, infrastructures, and any third-party devices.
Utilising the full API of Kramer Control, the new driver will enable greater integration possibilities for K-array’s flagship Kommander range of amplifiers.
“Through Kramer’s intuitive control platform, our Kommander amplifiers can now be implemented seamlessly into a Kramer-based control system,” explains Matteo Barbaro, software product manager at K-array. “This is an exciting step as integrators now have fewer barriers when it comes to integrating our professional audio solutions into a range of spaces, such as corporate, government or education environments.
“The technical partnership with Kramer follows our trend of being as compatible as possible with all the control system manufacturers,” continues Barbaro. “Our goal is to improve the integration experience whilst eliminating any potential user pain points.”
The announcement of this new partnership is a continuation of K-array’s commitment to software development, following the release of plug-ins for other control platforms including Crestron, Q-Sys, AMX and Control4. Further software partnership announcements are expected throughout 2024.
“By providing consultants and integrators with all the necessary tools to intera
Germany - Since 1999, Sommer cable has not only been soldering, but also making contacts. Despite the advancing digitalisation and further development of radio technologies, we still need cables and signal connectors in large quantities, be they analogue or digital. Cables still offer the highest signal transmission quality and data (interception) security.
Sommer Cable GmbH was founded in 1999 by Rainer Blanck and Friedhelm Sommer. Together with friends, cable specialist Pascal Miguet, musicians, sound people, electronic engineers and event specialists, they began to develop cables and connectors which became known for their sound quality and user-friendly design.
Today, Sommer Cable stands as a premier cable manufacturer, offering a comprehensive array of products spanning the audio, video, multimedia, broadcast, and hi-fi sectors.
"The foundation of our solution competence lies in our attitude: the passion for what we do. It's ingrained in every member of our team and evident in every aspect of Sommer Cable", explains Rainer Blanck, CEO and company founder. "How do we do that? By forming a team with our employees and our customers. We turn the talents of our people into those of our company and the requirements of our customers into our own. This approach sets us apart in today's industry landscape. And that's what makes us different."
With this ethos, customer-centric approach, and expert guidance, Sommer cable today inspires customers worldwide, spanning the professional audio sector including architects, planners, studio, media, event te
UK - Disguise has announced the public launch of its new VX 3 video playback hardware solution within its flagship VX range. First revealed at ISE earlier this year, the VX 3 features three 4K video outputs suitable for both projection and LED displays and the capability to handle both pre-rendered and real-time video playback from any third-party render engine.
With live events currently undergoing an ‘IMAX-ification’ effect through larger canvases, more pixels, higher content fidelity and greater bit depth, the VX 3 was built to ‘unlock unmatched power per output for mid to upper tier live shows, corporate presentations and immersive experiences, striking the perfect balance between performance and accessibility’.
The Benefits of VX 3 include support for both pre-rendered and real-time content and the ability to scale the video output capability without adding significant rack unit density as a result. It can run in the same network with other VX or GX machines. It also supports cluster rendering when used alongside multiple RX render nodes with RenderStream.
Europe - The flagship conference of the Digital Signage and DooH Industry is back from 22-23 May, at the Hilton Munich Airport in Germany. Early bird tickets are now available.
At Digital Signage Summit Europe 2024 (DSS Europe), experts from around the world will explore software-related issues such as the move to a platform economy, AI, and cybersecurity, alongside other industry trends such as the latest developments in green signage and retail media.
The two-day summit, a joint venture between Integrated Systems Events (ISE) and invidis consulting offers ‘networking at its core and a goal to shape the future of digital signage’. The conference programme hosts a comprehensive lineup of speakers sharing knowledge and insights, including an industry ‘outlook’ presentation from invidis consulting, keynotes from global industry leaders, presentations of concepts for seamless customer journeys, and panel discussions.
“This year’s key themes have been carefully aligned with the industry’s growing recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach to digital signage and the need to present a true picture of the global digital signage landscape,” comments Florian Rotberg, conference chair and managing director of digital signage industry specialists invidis. The full two-day conference programme will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, says: "Digital Signage Summit Europe is not just an event; it’s a journey into the future of visual communication. Secure your spot and
Croatia - Modern and sophisticated technology was the priority for Nova TV when it appointed Omnivor to design video walls for its new production studio. Three high-impact curved LED walls from Leyard Europe are now integral to the Croatian broadcaster’s award-winning news studio at its HQ.
The move to new premises in the heart of Zagreb presented Nova TV with the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art TV studio, equipped with the latest video wall solutions that would “deliver an extraordinary result”.
To realise its ambitious goal, the broadcaster approached trusted partners, Zagreb-based systems integrator, Omnivor, which had worked with previously on software solutions for presenting election polls and social media analysis, and Ominvor’s partner company, Kapetanović sistemi.
“It was clear from the start that LED was the ideal display technology,” explains Velibor Marhofer, Omnivor’s CTO. “It hit Nova TV’s brief for modern and sophisticated technology, offered better pixel pitch, the opportunity to create curved screens, and a lower electricity consumption. After considering a range of LED brands, we selected Leyard because of the high-end profile of the brand, the high quality of its TVF series, which comes with a lifetime warranty, and backed by the Leyard team’s support and professional approach.”
The project, which was completed in September 2022, included multiple LED video walls, three of which were curved. Two 14m x 7m curved video walls frame the central news anchor desk, displaying infographics and back
China - Brompton Technology has announced its participation in this year's Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), where it will co-exhibit with creative studio partner, Votion Studios, alongside AOTO and Disguise.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the four-day event takes place from 11-14 March 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is recognised as one of the premier events in the global film industry and serves as Asia’s largest film and entertainment content marketplace.
With a primary focus on virtual production as a cornerstone in the evolution of visual storytelling, Brompton will join its industry partners in showcasing the key capabilities and latest features of its Tessera LED processing range to the burgeoning filmmaking community in Hong Kong.
“Targeting filmmakers, content creators, and those in the broadcast industry, by demonstrating Brompton’s capabilities and features relevant to these sectors, our key objective is to establish an ecosystem where we can offer expertise and training, as well as foster effective collaborations with our existing and prospective customers,” says Pokman Chu, general manager of China at Brompton Technology.
Brompton is sharing booth 1A-D14 with Hong Kong-based film production company Votions Studios, which is renowned for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and artistic vision.
The choice of Brompton Tessera LED processing brings numerous benefits to Votion Studios and its clients, including image quality, precise
Canada/Europe - Long standing North America distributors (and fibre network specialists) Optocore NA have been accoladed by the German parent company, who have presented them with this year’s Best Distributor Award.
The presentation to Bill and Brandon Coons was made by Optocore founder, Marc Brunke, during the ISE2024 expo in Barcelona recently.
Optocore sales manager, RadhaMohan Rajani, said: “From their base in Canada, Bill and Brandon have been our longest serving partners, educating and serving the whole of North America. And having enjoyed a record year, they are showing that they are still introducing new customers to the Optocore family.”
Bill Coons started to represent Optocore as far back as 2007 under his Contact Distribution business model before incorporating Optocore North America the following year.
Among the high-profile projects that adopted Optocore solutions in 2023 were Toronto’s Massey Hall and Scotiabank Arena as well as Rogers Arena in Vancouver while in the USA, Optocore networks were adopted by The San Diego Symphony (at the Rady Shell, Jacobs Park), and Crypto Arena, Los Angeles.
“2023 represented our highest grossing year of sales,” reflected sales & product specialist, Brandon Coons. “Our customer base continues to grow as new users and integrators are finally adopting fibre. Shows aren’t really getting bigger, they are getting more complex and the only way to keep all the digital products/platforms working together is on an asynchronous network … which is Optocore’s ‘value propositio
UK - Christie has announced this year’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) Most Promising Student Award, an award Christie has sponsored for 19 years. The winner of this year’s award is Creative Business MA student, Cody Updegrave, who was praised for his hard work, commitment, and leadership qualities.
Previous award winners have gone on to make stellar introductions to their careers, gracing the global stage at international film festivals and winning further awards for their work. “Cody has poured his heart and soul into the life of the school, leaving an indelible mark as student representative and through supporting the expansive spectrum of VFX productions across the NFTS,” comments Ian Haig, head of the NFTS Creative Business MA.
“Not only is Cody extraordinarily kind, he also effortlessly tackles any challenges that come his way. Cody is a great leader, and his smart, friendly, and enormously hardworking approach has been pivotal in reshaping the Creative Business MA’s role throughout the school. Cody embodies the spirit of collaboration, inspiring other students to engage more deeply in projects while taking the time to listen and advise others. Above all, Cody stands out as an exceptionally talented individual who is an outstanding ambassador for the NFTS, contributing immensely to its success.”
NFTS alumni have won 14 Oscars, 165 BAFTA awards and earned more student academy award nominations than any other film school.
“It’s a pleasure to continue our longstanding relationship with the NFTS, a leading in
Norway - Outdoor mapping specialist ProjektorPøblene has invested in eight Tempest Typhoon projector enclosures to expand its outdoor events capabilities. The enclosures enable the AV and rental production company to use its fleet of Epson 20,000 lumen projectors to support a range of clients at impactful outdoor projection mapping events, as well as power its own productions.
“Being a small company specialising in outdoor projection, we need to be flexible, mobile and have a low footprint. We need to be able to get into places that other companies don’t want to do,” says Mads Faste Liang Nilsen, founder, ProjektorPøblene.
“Whenever we invest in equipment, we must be very careful to ensure it fits into our workflow. The combination of having the lightest enclosures, the ability to use them in portrait mode and the M12 mounting points meant that Tempest was the only manufacturer for us. These features give us the flexibility to create our own workflow and position projectors in challenging locations.”
ProjektorPøblene - loosely translated as ‘projector punks,’ ‘projector mob’ or ‘projector proletariat’ - was established in 2016, and offers services including concept development, content production, technical equipment rental, and projection mapping.
“The whole premise of the company is based on using our technical and creative competence to not just deliver a service but also to deliver a message that means something,” adds Mads. “We use projection to comment and communicate something that we stand for.”
USA - Sphere Entertainment and Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, have released new details on how the two companies leverage Hitachi Vantara’s data processing software to help power the LED screens at Sphere in Las Vegas.
Both Sphere’s 160,000sq.ft interior LED display plane and 580,000sq.ft fully programmable LED exterior - the Exosphere - utilise Hitachi Vantara’s software as a key tool to stream high-resolution immersive content.
“Sphere is home to many firsts, one of which is streaming immersive, high-resolution video content on a scale that has never been done before,” said Alex Luthwaite, SVP, show systems technology, Sphere Entertainment. “Hitachi Vantara worked with our team to develop a solution that’s fast, reliable, and efficient. Through their expertise and technology, Sphere’s displays deliver content that is captivating audiences not only in the venue in Las Vegas, but also around the world on social media.”
With the world’s highest resolution LED screen inside the venue and the largest LED screen on the exterior, Sphere leaned on Hitachi Vantara to deliver solutions to stream video content on an unprecedented scope. For its original immersive film, Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, the system handles over 400 gigabytes a second of throughput at sub 5 milliseconds of latency and a 12-bit colour display at a 444 subsampling. Hitachi Vantara utilised its storage platform Hitachi Content Software for File, a high-performance, software-d
UK - Touring musicals I Should Be So Lucky and Just For One Day have one thing in common – both utilise Brompton Technology LED processing and INFiLED displays provided by audio visual equipment rental company, Stage Sound Services (SSS).
The combination delivers a noticeable difference in colour reproduction, especially at lower brightness levels. SSS worked with system designer and engineer, Dan Trenchard, and video designer, Andrzej Goulding, on both productions to deploy LED equipment to great effect on these highly successful shows.
Phil Hurley, SSS’s owner, notes that with 95 percent of their work being theatre specific, staying at the forefront of the latest technologies for the market is crucial.
“We’ve been supplying video for some of the biggest theatre shows for the last 10-15 years and knew we needed to find the right time to invest in LED technology; theatre is a fast, fluid market with many design requirements, but there are also budgetary constraints,” he says.
“We first used LED with Brompton processors in 2021 on The Drifters Girl. From the conversations that followed with production engineers and designers, we knew that Brompton had established itself as an industry standard, as it offers high-end LED processing that allows theatre creatives to do what they need to do.”
As a result, at the end of 2023, SSS decided to purchase a number of 4K Tessera SX40 LED processors and Tessera XD data distribution units for I Should Be So Lucky. “We added more Brompton Tessera products for the
UK - Richard Cuthbert has assumed an associate role working solely with specialist installation contractor and systems integrator, Push The Button, bringing with him three decades of experience in lighting and engineering within the entertainment industry.
Cuthbert comments: “I am keen to focus on what I enjoy doing the most, delivering innovative solutions and immediately thought of Push The Button. I worked with Nick (Ewins, Push The Button managing director) when I was starting out in the industry, and I have the utmost respect for his client-focused approach. I’m really looking forward to making an impact at PTB.”
Nick Ewins comments: “I first met Richard as a trainee engineer, and he later became a key member of my team for many years before we both went our separate ways. He has made a tremendous contribution to the industry both in terms of designing award winning products and complex systems and I am delighted that he will be assisting us. Richard shares my passion for theatrical projects and marine projects and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”
USA - Disguise is partnering with UK House to bring a virtual production studio to SXSW for the first time. Visitors to the venue at Downright Austin can hop on a motorbike from the UK to the US in an immersive experience created in partnership with the UK Advertising Exports Group (UKAEG).
Visitors will also experience first-hand how a commercial can be filmed using a virtual production studio in the Accelerator course taster for advertising along with other special events and talks.
“Disguise sits at the intersection between technological innovation and creative storytelling - unleashing game-changing possibilities for immersive experiences and entertainment. In our first-ever appearance at SXSW, in partnership with UK House, we are thrilled to bring a taste of the same technology powering Adele’s Las Vegas residency, the NBA’s state-of-the-art LED court for All-Star 2024, Snapchat’s AR integration and Hollywood blockbuster films to Austin,” says Disguise CXO Alex Wills.
“Together we will explore how to stand out from the crowd, get people talking about your brand and create the most immersive, engaging concerts, experiences and films the world has seen.”
Starting 8 March, Disguise will host a four-day programme with five different talks, demos, a taster course for virtual production and a full-day immersive activation.
Aisling Conlon, international trade director for UK Advertising, comments: “UK Advertising is thrilled to join forces with Disguise for our debut immersive activation. SXSW is renowned for fostering
UK - Dark winter nights in the northern English city of Leeds were brightened by a series of ‘magical’ animations recently, when visuals were projected onto the façade of The Queens Hotel driven by tvONE's Green Hippo brand of Hippotizer Media Servers.
The elegant architecture of the historic hotel - which has hosted notable guests including Princess Grace of Monaco, Cary Grant and Nelson Mandela - served as a huge canvas for the projections, which were designed to give audiences a glimpse through the doors of the hotel during the winter season.
The project, entitled Magical Night at The Queens, was initiated by Leeds Business Improvement District in collaboration with the Barcelona-based creative studio Onionlab. Pro Audio Systems (PAS) was commissioned to co-ordinate and supply every technical aspect of the installation. Every evening at 30-minute rotations over four hours, passers-by were treated to seasonal graphic displays with a voiceover by Olivier Award-winning English actor Celia Imrie.
Projection mapping experts at Motion Mapping supplied four Hippotizer Karst+ MK2 Media Servers - two active and two used as backups - to PAS for the installation. “The Hippotizers were sourced due to their compact size and flexibility with their deployment, as there was limited space available in the on-site control cabin,” says Chris Beardwell from PAS, who worked on the technical aspects of the projection. “The Karst+ servers provided more than enough power and outputs for this installation.”
The Karst+ MK2 Media Servers drove
Austria - Gerdon Design, based in Mainz, Germany, specialises in show, content and lighting production. In late 2023, the team at Gerdon Design were approached to work together with client, Revolution Event, on the upcoming Nukranox Festival, a celebration of hardstyle music, which was to be held in December 2023 at an arena venue in Salzburg.
“Revolution Event had come up with an idea for an immersive festival experience,” recalls Marek Papke, CEO at Gerdon Design. “They wanted to take a holistic approach and provide a narrative for the upcoming show and future shows in the series. The concept for Nukranox was to create a realistic forest environment and tell an ever-evolving story throughout the night through visuals, special effects and, of course, music.”
Nukranox aimed to offer customised and immersive experience to its 5,000-person audience. “A huge 24-metre LED wall covering the entire back wall of the stage was the focal point of the design,” continues Papke. “On the screen we planned to synchronise the visuals, depicting a dynamic, constantly changing forest environment with lighting effects to mimic day, night and weather conditions such as fog, rain and snow.”
Gerdon Design went beyond traditional approaches by introducing a 360° backdrop printed with the same forest scene as on the LED screen. They also incorporated scent machines emitting forest aromas and burning wood scents, along with snow machines, creating a multisensory experience, largely unprecedented in the world of music festivals.
To realise their v
UK - Racquet Studios, a Sussex-based operator in the realm of virtual production, celebrated a successful student open day with East Sussex College at their Eastbourne facility on 22 February, offering more than 120 attendees from a range of creative courses a ‘deep dive into the transformative world of virtual content creation and filmmaking’.
The event, which was hosted in partnership with Canon Cinema EOS Cameras and Croatian specialist manufacturer, stYpe, illustrated the evolution of virtual production, highlighting its significant advantages over traditional filmmaking methods while emphasising the various creative and technical skills that feed into the cutting-edge solution.
The event solidified Racquet Studios' commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the field of VP while engaging with young creatives to develop and retain skills in the region.
The day, which was split into two sessions, kicked off with a comprehensive introduction to VP, where the Racquet team guided participants through the sector's evolution.
The team also delved into the process of photogrammetry, unveiling the intricate method of creating digital twins of objects and environments through complex photography techniques. This process plays a crucial role in the complex recreation of assets that fuel the digital creative ecosystem.
Before breaking for lunch, all students had the opportunity to take to the stage and get hands-on with the professional setup, which included Canon Cinema EOS Cameras, lenses and global-leading camera tracking tec
China - This year marks a significant milestone for Brompton Technology. The opening of the Shenzhen office in March 2019 strategically positioning the company in High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan, was prompted by customer demand and the city's status as a hub for LED panel manufacturing.
Brompton’s decision to establish a dedicated office facilitated seamless communication and support for local clients. Fast forward five years, and the company’s Shenzhen team support Brompton’s customers with account and project management, calibration, operations, technical product queries, training, field application engineering, and marketing.
To mark the occasion, the team will host a celebratory event at the office on 7 March. Brompton’s CEO, Richard Mead, will be joined by Elijah Ebo, director of APAC operations, Pokman Chu, general manager (China), Summer Zhang, deputy general manager (China), and many other members of the team in China and the UK to unveil a cutting-edge demo stage featuring an LED volume driven by Brompton Tessera LED processors.
This demo stage facility serves multiple purposes, including hosting internal and external trainings for partners, clients, and prospective clients, and conducting Brompton and partner-specific training sessions. It also provides a dedicated space for in-house events and for partners to showcase demonstrations, fostering innovation, knowledge-sharing and collaboration within the industry.
Equipped with industry-standard technology, the stage boasts an impressive array of equipment, including an
UK - Playing at London’s Old Vic Theatre, Just For One Day is a new musical which tells the story of Live Aid and those who came together to create this event. Penned by John O’Farrell (Mrs Doubtfire), it features the songs of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, U2, Queen, Elton John and Paul McCartney among others. The show also features a lighting design by Olivier Award-nominated Howard Hudson, who approached White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, to supply his lighting rig.
Just For One Day is an insight into the origins of the history-making concert held at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985; one which was attended by 72,000 and watched by a staggering 1.9bn worldwide. Discussing the show, Howard comments: “Live Aid was such a ground-breaking event and one which has a vast amount of now iconic imagery associated with it.
“Our show tells the story of several of those involved in the making of the concert, so whilst we ultimately do go to the event itself in the second half, a large amount of the show is narrative-based which requires a vast number of locations such as the recording studio, Bob Geldof’s house and all the way to Ethiopia; the country which was featured on the news report which inspired Live Aid.”
Unusual for even a historical-based musical, part of Howard’s brief was to actually recreate those now legendary performances from the concert; wanting to ensure the audience felt as though they were being transported back to that day almost forty years ago. He explains: “The primary resource for me was the